Narrative:The Bearskin Airlines Beechcraft A100 was on a regular scheduled flight, under visual flight rules, to Big Trout Airport, ON (YTL), with nine passengers and a crew of two on board. The crew were flying the aircraft over a lake about four miles northwest of the airport for a landing on runway 14 when whiteout conditions were encountered. The aircraft descended in controlled flight into the frozen surface of the lake. The crew and several passengers sustained serious injuries. Rescuers from the local community reached the aircraft about two hours after the crash and all eleven survivors were rescued within four hours.

Probable Cause:

CAUSES: While the crew were manoeuvring the aircraft to land and attempting to maintain visual flying conditions in reduced visibility, their workload was such that they missed, or unknowingly discounted, critical information provided by the altimeters and vertical speed indicators. Contributing factors were the whiteout conditions and the crew's decision to fly a visual approach at low altitude over an area where visual cues were minimal and visibility was reduced.

The Department of Transport, using accepted risk management methodologies, create carrier-specific requirements for the carriage of first aid kits, survival equipment, and upgraded ELTs on all commercial aircraft. (Unsatisfactory)

Issued: --

To: DoT Canada

A97-01

The Department of Transport require all air carriers operating air ambulance services in the course of their business to provide the equipment, procedures, and crew training necessary to ensure a level of safety for patients consistent with that provided by commercial air services to fare-paying passengers. (Fully satisfactory)

This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path. Distance from Sioux Lookout Airport, ON to Big Trout Airport, ON as the crow flies is 431 km (269 miles).

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.